HomeMy WebLinkAbout20000717.min.docMINUTES OF DECISION MEETING
JULY 17, 2000 - 1:30 p.m
In attendance were Commissioners Dennis Hansen, Marsha H. Smith and Paul Kjellander.
Commissioner Hansen called the meeting to order and welcomed all in attendance.
CONSENT AGENDA
Items 1 through 4 were considered on the Consent Agenda.
Commissioner Hansen asked for discussion or comment on any of the items.
Commissioner Smith said she had a question on No. 4 - Scott Woodbury's July 14, 2000 Decision Memorandum re: Case No. AVU-E-00-06(Avista) PCA Methodology--Proposed Changes and Adjustments--Initial Statement of Position/Request for Extension of File Date.
Commissioner Smith asked about the extension.
Scott Woodbury replied that that was what the company asked for.
With that, Commissioner Smith then made a motion to approve all items on the Consent Agenda. Vote taken; motion carried.
MATTERS IN PROGRESS
Scott Woodbury's July 14, 2000 Decision Memorandum re: PCA Trigger Exceeded--Avista--Company Request to Delay Implementation of Rebate.
Scott reviewed the matter.
Company has requested Commission approve the deferral. They estimate they will incur substantial surcharge entries in the next few months that will likely entirely offset the rebate balance. Staff has not audited the Company's numbers, so staff would recommend that the Commission delay any action on the deferral until the numbers Company has submitted are audited.
Commissioner Hansen said he didn't have a problem with deferring it but he is concerned with delaying it. Based on a total number, he was concerned with a delay. Perhaps there is a big increase coming. Asked if there was anything further?
Commissioner Smith said her concern was if we delay to do an audit, the 45 days shouldn't run until after the audit. Think we should tell the Company that the clock isn't running during the audit. August 1 there is a big rate change so customers are going to feel that. So it wouldn't bother her to postpone this in light of what we know about electricity costs the last few weeks.
There were no further question or discussion.
Commissioner Hansen made a motion that the Commission defer a decision on the request and that the Company and staff undertake a review and audit of the Company calculation and report back and that the 45 day time in which to file the application is also stayed and the clock starts running on that after the Commission hears back from staff. Vote taken on the motion: motion carried.
RULEMAKING
Don Howell's July 12, 2000 Decision Memorandum re: Proposed Amendments to the Railroad Safety/Sanitation Rules, Case No. 31-7103-0001.
Don Howell reviewed the matter. These rules have not been updated since 1993. Staff recommends that the Commission adopt the hazardous materials regulations. There are three proposed amendments.
Commissioner Hansen called for questions or comments.
Commissioner Kjellander asked: when that gets to the legislators for review, are there sections of the CFRs that they will review?
Don Howell said the Commission doesn't supply the CRF text. Since they are readily available to the Legislative Council, we don't submit the information.
Commissioner Kjellander said knowing full well that it is available to Legislative Services, it sometimes becomes problematic. The Legislators won't know the details of the CFRs and they are left without the material. We should have those available at the PUC so that we are prepared to address the obvious and legitimate questions the legislature will ask.
Commissioner Hansen made a motion to adopt the proposed amendments. Vote taken on the motion; motion carried.
That completed the Agenda.
Decision meeting was adjourned.
Dated at Boise, Idaho, this ____ day of August, 2000.
Myrna J. Walters, Commission Secretary